A former monk now mailman talks about why he joined the monastery and why he left. He and Geth also discuss the complicated history of the Catholic Church and memorable moments during his time as a monk.

Used To Be A Monk

1 phone call. 1 hour. No names. No holds barred. Thats the premise behind Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard (the Chris Gethard Show, Broad City, This American Life, and one of Time Outs 10 best comedians of 2015). Every week, Chris opens the phone line to one anonymous caller, and he cant hang up first, no matter what. From shocking confessions and family secrets to philosophical discussions and shameless self-promotion, anything can and will happen! Theme song by Shellshag.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

A signmaker calls to talk to Gethard about the novel she spent 35 years writing, tapping into life on the quantum level, and a whole lot of stuff we honestly aren’t sure we understand. It’s a fascinating call. Some of you are going to love this one. Some of you are going to feel like you stepped into a weird alternate dimension you can’t escape. And some of you are going to love this one because it will make you feel like you stepped into a weird alternate dimension you can’t escape. This caller has a story to share, and what is Beautiful/Anonymous, if not a place for people to share their stories? Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod   Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller. Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/BEAUTIFULSTORIES.  As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get 15% off your purchase of a Skylight Calendar when you go to SkylightCal.com/STORIES Give all the “moms” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years—StoryWorth! Right now, save $10 on your first purchase when you go to StoryWorth.com/beautiful! Upgrade your wardrobe. Go to Quince.com/beautiful for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  To match with a licensed therapist today, go to Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL and enter promo code SPACE80 to get $80 off of your first month and show your support for the show.  

Wrote the New Bible

This week’s caller joins Gethard for a good ol’ fashioned chit-chat. From working in the restaurant industry, to recreational substance-fueled movie marathons, to getting your DnD numbers just right, this call is a laidback hang with a cool, fun person.  Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod   Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller.  Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get 15% off your purchase of a Skylight Calendar when you go to SkylightCal.com/STORIES  Go to greenchef.com/stories50 and use code stories50 to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months.  To match with a licensed therapist today, go to Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL and enter promo code SPACE80 to get $80 off of your first month and show your support for the show.  

Comedy-Themed Butt Tattoos

  This week, Gethard talks with a borehole geologist about his very unique career. He describes the perils of the job, like traveling 2000 feet underground into a mine with only one way out, the exciting parts of his career that most of us have never even thought about, and why he still gets jazzed about the same stuff that made him love rocks when he was a kid.    Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod   Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller.  Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow The Cat in the Hat Cast on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Cat in the Hat Cast ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus in Apple Podcasts.  As a listener of this podcast, you’ll get $80 off of your first month with Talkspace when you go to Talkspace.com/BEAUTIFUL and enter promo code SPACE80.      

Borehole Geologist

A medieval recreator calls to talk with Gethard about their shared love for her city, meeting her husband while dressed in medieval garb, why what she does isn't reeanctment, and how today's politics manage to show up no matter how far back you travel in time. Plus, a whole lot more about falconry, heraldry, and all kinds of truly nerdy stuff. Just don't confuse her with those LARP dorks, okay? Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller.  Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow The Cat in the Hat Cast on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Cat in the Hat Cast ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus in Apple Podcasts.

Medieval Recreator

A dedicated Dave Matthews Band fan tells Gethard how her love for DMB led her to donate a kidney to a total stranger. She explains some of the more complicated aspects of the process and how donating her kidney set off a chain reaction that saved a total of 10 lives. Plus, she and Geth talk about cool party tricks, pretentious tattoos, and a whole lot more. The important thing though, is that if you're reading this right now and you know Dave Matthews, you send him this episode. If you’re interested in learning more about living donation, here’s a place to start: organdonor.gov Follow Beautiful/Anonymous on Instagram @beautifulanonymouspod Sign up for Beautiful/Anonymous+ to get access to exclusive content including 5 Random Questions with this week’s caller and to learn why we've included a link to the University of Tennessee's  Body Donation Packet. Leave us a voicemail at (973) 306-4676‬ Follow The Cat in the Hat Cast on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Cat in the Hat Cast ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus in Apple Podcasts.

Used To Be A Monk

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